Anna Friel, Ken Stott and Samuel West to Star in West End Uncle Vanya Revival

Anna Friel, Ken Stott and Samuel West are set to star in a West End revival of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. Adapted by Christopher Hampton, directed by Lindsay Posner Posner (Death and The Maiden, Noises Off) and designed by Christopher Oram, the limited engagement will run October 24 through February 16, 2013 at the Vaudeville Theatre. Opening night is set for November 2. No further casting has been announced.

On a dilapidated, remote farm Uncle Vanya (Stott) and his niece Sonya have worked slavishly for years to sustain an estate in decline. Now Professor Serebryakov and his wife Yelena (Friel) have returned to visit, bringing with them chaos and disruption. Constant visits from the charismatic Astrov (West) are not helpful. Lunch is no longer served at lunch time—now it is procrastinated until dusk—work is forgotten and the long, cool nights have become sleepless. From this hotbed of disarray grow three consuming love affairs, each of which is destined to wither in disappointment before it has reached bloom. It is in this climate of frustration and thwarted hopes that the Professor chooses to announce a shocking plan.

Friel starred as Holly Golightly in the West End production of Breakfast at Tiffanys and has appeared on stage in Lulu, Look Europe and Closer. She is best known for her TV roles on Pushing Daisies, The Street and Neverland. Her film credits include Limitless, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Land of the Lost and London Boulevard. Stott’s TV and film roles include Messiah, Toast, The Vice, Rebus, One Day, Girl In a Café and Shallow Grave. His theater credits include Art, God of Carnage, A View from the Bridge and Heroes. West has appeared on stage in Enron, A Number, The Family Reunion, Hamlet and Richard II. His film and TV credits include Van Helsing, Eternal Law and Any Human Heart.

Uncle Vanya is produced by Kim Poster (Stanhope Productions), Nica Burns, Robert Bartner and Max Weitzenhoffer.